Jim and Dana Bernhard, the owners of Pin Oak Stud in Kentucky, and Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, share the 2023 New Owner of the Year Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing.
The Bernhards entered the Thoroughbred business in 2021 and purchased Pin Oak in November 2022. They have been active players at bloodstock auctions and have campaigned the likes of the late Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) and recent 'TDN Rising Star' Parchment Party (Constitution).
“We were so fortunate to be able to purchase Pin Oak, and we hope to continue Josephine Abercrombie's legacy and commitment to Thoroughbred breeding and racing,” said Jim Bernhard. “Dana and I are very honored to receive this award, and we are committed to supporting the sport and modernizing the industry.”
That support is evidenced by the Bernhards' commitment to donate all proceeds from their online shop to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations. Pin Oak has also announced that their horses will be equipped with biometric sensors during breezes, which will remain in place for races at facilities that have the necessary regulatory approvals.
Bregman and his wife Reagan entered racing in 2023 with the purchase of eight horses and plans to race his horses from coast-to-coast. Bregman Family Racing has been represented this year by the impressive three-time stakes winner No Nay Mets (Ire) (No Nay Never). Bregman Family Racing's first time at the track had more than a dozen of Bregman's teammates gathered around his phone in the locker room at Globe Life Field to watch Cadillac Candy finish second at Keeneland Apr. 28.
One of the prominent horsemen who pledged Breeders' Cup earnings to support the fight against antisemitism before the 2023 Breeders' Cup, Bregman has also signed on as a Breeders' Cup celebrity ambassador.
“The love of horse racing goes back generations in my family, and I've always been a fan,” Bregman said. “It's incredible to have my own horses now and to be able to share the sport with my teammates and fans and to be an ambassador for the sport. I am very honored to receive this award.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
